Description
Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken is a quick and flavorful dinner option featuring juicy chicken breasts topped with a tangy dill pickle ranch sauce and a crispy Parmesan breadcrumb coating, air fried to perfection.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds), sliced in half horizontally
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Sauce and Topping
- ½ cup (120 g) dill pickle ranch dressing, plus more for serving
- 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 3 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs
- Fresh dill, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Seasoning: In a small bowl, whisk together kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to create a flavorful spice mixture.
- Season Chicken: Evenly season all sides of the halved chicken breasts with the prepared spice mix, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Make Dill Pickle Ranch Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the dill pickle ranch dressing with half of the grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup). Spread this mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast piece.
- Prepare Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping: In a third bowl, mix the remaining Parmesan cheese with the plain breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this breadcrumb mixture evenly over each chicken breast, creating a crispy topping.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Place the prepared chicken breasts in the basket of your air fryer in a single layer. Depending on size, cook in batches if needed. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, checking at 8 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Garnish: Remove chicken from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to settle. Garnish with chopped fresh dill and an additional drizzle of dill pickle ranch dressing before serving.
Notes
- Slice chicken breasts horizontally for thinner pieces that cook more evenly and quickly.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Use plain breadcrumbs for the topping; panko can also be used for extra crispiness.
- If you don’t have dill pickle ranch dressing, mix ranch dressing with pickle juice for a similar flavor.
- Resting the chicken after cooking allows juices to redistribute, keeping the meat juicy.
